Utes Can’t Overcome Arizona’s Hot Three-Point Shooting

TUSCON, Ariz. – The Utes struggled making their shots, while the Arizona Wildcats couldn’t miss from the perimeter. Utah lost their third straight game, 93-77 to Arizona.

The Utes are now 0-8 in Tuscon, Arizona since they joined the Pac-12 in 2011.

Arizona made 15 of their 29 attempts from the three-point line, while the Utes went 10-28 from beyond the arc.

In the first half, Arizona made 8 three-pointers and 7 in the second half.

Timmy Allen and Riley Battin led the Utes with 16 points apiece. Allen is back in his home state as a Mesa, Arizona native. The sophomore also had 3 rebounds and 2 assists.

It’s the third straight loss for the Utes after a close defeat to then-No. 4 Oregon, a blowout loss in Boulder to then-No. 25 Colorado and now to the Wildcats.

Final from Tucson. #Utes play ASU on Saturday in Phoenix. #GoUtes🏀🔴 #Pac12Hoops pic.twitter.com/NWpmuPLYWQ

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) January 17, 2020

The Wildcats played without upperclassman big man Chase Jeter, who was out with a back injury. But, Arizona received big outings from both Zeke Nnaji and Max Hazzard, who each scored 24 points.

8-0 run paced by a couple 👌 from @battin_riley cuts the Arizona lead to 57-38.

🔴 38 | 🔵 57#GoUtes🏀🔴 pic.twitter.com/khvMTufDU7

— Utah Basketball🏀 (@UtahMBB) January 17, 2020

Dylan Smith added 13 points and Nico Mannion chipped in 12 points and 5 assists.

As a team, Arizona shot 47 percent from the field and 51 percent from downtown.

A point of emphasis from Utes head coach Larry Krystkowiak was winning the battle of the boards. Arizona out-rebounded Utah 38-32.

Utah dropped to 10-6 overall and 1-3 in Pac-12 play. They will finish this tough three-game road trip on Saturday against the Arizona State Sun Devils. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. and will be televised on the Pac-12 Network.

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